Namaste! Aaj ka news roundup, Newswala style!

MARKETS

Markets: The ongoing decline is largely attributed to escalating global trade tensions. The U.S. recently imposed significant tariffs 25% on Canada and Mexico, and a 20% on China—effective from March 4. These measures have heightened fears of a global trade war, hampering economic growth and increasing inflation.

TOP STORIES

India’s Edible Oil Imports Hit 4-Year Low 🛢️

What Happened?

India’s edible oil imports took a nosedive in February, hitting a four-year low at 884,000 metric tons—a 12% drop from January. 

The culprits? A 36% plunge in soyoil imports and a 22% fall in sunflower oil imports. 

A Better Look

While palm oil imports did bounce back 36% to 374,000 metric tons, it was still far below the monthly average of 750,000 tons from the previous year.

Lower imports for two months straight have also slashed domestic oil stocks by 26%, leaving reserves at 1.6 million tons—their lowest in over four years.

Why It Matters?

India is the world’s largest buyer of vegetable oils, importing palm oil from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand and soyoil/sunflower oil from Argentina, Brazil, Russia, and Ukraine.

When imports shrink, domestic supply tightens, potentially pushing up prices for consumers.

Also, since India’s demand heavily influences global edible oil prices, any surge in buying could lift Malaysian palm oil and U.S. soyoil futures.

PAISON KA KHEL

Bottles Out, Profits In 🍾

Coca-Cola India just poured a major deal, selling its North Gujarat bottling operations to Kandhari Global Beverages for nearly ₹2,000 crore. 

The move aligns with Coca-Cola’s asset-light strategy—because why make bottles when you can just sell the syrup?

With this, Coca-Cola’s bottling footprint shrinks to 40% under Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), while 10 independent franchisees handle the rest.

Interestingly, Coca-Cola raked in $303 million in 2024 from similar sales in India.

A Multi-Billion Dollar Listing on the Horizon? 💰

Tata Capital is gearing up for a massive IPO, aiming for a valuation of up to $11 billion—potentially India’s biggest listing of the year.

The company plans to raise $2 billion, with 23 crore shares up for grabs and a rights issue worth ₹1,504 crore.

India’s IPO market is on fire despite a shaky stock market—LG Electronics India is eyeing $1.5 billion, while Prudential Plc is considering a $1 billion listing.

TOP STORIES

Borrow More, Worry Less 💳

What Happened?

Indian women are keeping a close watch on their finances—credit monitoring shot up by 42% in 2024! 

According to a report by TransUnion CIBIL, 27 million women actively tracked their credit in December 2024, compared to 19 million the year before. 

The borrowing boom wasn’t just in cities—60% of women borrowers came from semi-urban and rural areas, with young women under 30 leading the way.  

Why It Matters

The number of women taking credit has been growing at 22% annually since 2019, proving that financial independence isn’t just a buzzword but a movement.

And it’s not just shopping on EMI!

In 2024, 3.7 million new business loan accounts were opened, with a whopping ₹1.9 lakh crore disbursed—almost triple the ₹0.7 lakh crore in 2019. 

But here’s the catch

Business loans still make up just 3% of all loans availed by women.

Meanwhile, 36% of women held active consumption loans, up from 33% in 2019, showing their appetite for credit remains strong.

Indian women are borrowing more and managing it better—credit scores are improving, and financial awareness is soaring.

While business loans are still playing catch-up, the rapid growth hints at a future where more women own businesses instead of just shopping at them.

GLOBAL NAZARA

Paramount’s $8B Deal Hits a Plot Twist 🌀

Paramount Global’s $8 billion merger with Skydance Media just hit a legal speed bump. A Delaware judge signaled she’s taking a hard look at the deal, opening the possibility for a bidding war.

The drama started when NYC’s public pension funds sued to block the deal, claiming Paramount ignored an $8.8 billion offer from Project Rise Partners. 

Adding fuel to the fire, allegations surfaced that Skydance agreed to cover media heiress Shari Redstone’s lavish expenses—including a Central Park apartment and private jet lease.

Markets Tumble, Avocados in Peril 🥑

The stock market just took a nosedive after Donald Trump slapped 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico and 20% on Chinese goods.

The S&P 500 and Dow Jones plunged, while European markets also felt the heat.

Retaliation was swift—Canada plans to tax $155B worth of U.S. goods, China is hitting back with tariffs on soybeans and beef, and Mexico is preparing a multi-step response. Meanwhile, Target warns that avocado prices will spike.

TOP STORIES

Tata Motors is Here with Hydrogen-Powered Trucks 🚚

What Happened?

Tata Motors has kicked off India’s first trials of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks.

The 24-month-long test will deploy 16 trucks with Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2-ICE) and Fuel Cell (H2-FCEV) technology across major freight corridors, including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar. 

The goal? 

To see if hydrogen can fuel the future of long-haul transportation. This initiative is part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, aimed at reducing emissions and boosting India’s energy self-reliance.

Heavy trucks guzzle fuel like there’s no tomorrow, making them a prime target for green innovation. Hydrogen offers a potential solution where battery electric vehicles struggle—longer range, faster refueling, and lower emissions.

The Bigger Picture

The Indian government is pushing hard for clean energy, and if Tata’s trials prove successful, hydrogen could drive India’s trucking industry into a new era.

With Union Minister Nitin Gadkari calling hydrogen the “fuel of the future,” this move could redefine sustainable logistics in India.

MIRCH MASALA

🌍 South vs. Modi: Southern leaders push back against Modi’s constituency reshuffle.

👀 Rohit’s Fat-Shaming Row: BCCI backs Rohit after politician’s ‘fat’ remark.

🐈 Cat Panic in Kashmir: Viral health scare sends pet owners into a frenzy.

🏏 India’s ‘Home’ Advantage?: Champions Trophy venue sparks controversy.

🗣️ AI Alters Indian Accents: Call center giant faces backlash for ‘whitening’ voices.